Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Chapter 20
Rain poured onto the earth that freely drank up every drop. A brisk wind swept through the valley, chilling the water as it hit my skin, splattering against my skin and making me shiver as each new drop froze my body and hampered me in my quest. Finally, after agonizing hours or scrambling on my hands and feet to my home, I reached the shining crimson door of the hobbit hole, gleaming at me as the rain coated it. Slowly, I brought my hand to the doorknob and turned it, my hand using what little strength it had to push open the door. Crawling inside to the radiating warmth of the fire, I tried to near the main room where the hearth resided, hoping to thaw my numb limbs.
As I laid there on the ground, feeling my nerves tingling slightly again, I felt heavy steps shake through the floor, becoming more solid with each step closer and instilling my body with fear. I moved my hands beneath me to lift myself, but strength had not returned to them yet, so I was stranded on the floor. With the last of my adrenaline, I rolled over onto my other side, seeing my father standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice making no effort to hide his contempt.
I could not reply. He neared me and then knelt down next to me, a momentary kindness flashing in his eyes, but that kindness was all too soon. Father grabbed my arm and pulled me up to stand with him.
"I asked you a question. What are you doing here?" His face was inches from mine, his breath steaming with his rage brushing against my skin. I saw the fury in his eyes, an anger far worse than anything I had seen before lingered there.
Soon, I found myself being dragged down the hall and to the front door. The door flew open and my father threw me outside, into the mud and rain. My body began to take in the rain again, freezing me.
"I do not want to see you here again. As far as I'm concerned, you are not my daughter," he yelled. As he turned around to retreat into the house, I reached out for him, crying out with tears of frustration that he would retrieve me, possibly feel some compassion.
Father paused, then turned around and approached me quickly, taking me up in his arms quickly. "I told you to leave. I do not want you." He threw me to the side of the path where my head violently struck the ground, and I cried out in pain.
My eyes shot open to find myself in the pitch black of the night. My skin crawled with shivers as I sat up and found that the covers were strewn across the floor. I put my hand to my forehead, my breath slowing from its quickened pace as I realized that it was all a dream, a horrible one too. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I moved my legs off the edge of the bed and stood up, needing to clear my head.
I found the candle that resided near the head of my bed and lit it, taking it up in my hand. I moved to the small desk in the corner of my room and picked up the one book Frodo had lent me. Then, trying to proceed as quietly as possible, I entered into the main cavity of the house and made my way to the front room, hoping that no one would wake at the slight sounds of the floorboards creaking underneath my feet.
Carefully, as not to make a sound, I sat in the main chair, throwing my legs over one arm and leaning my back against the other, setting the candle behind me and cracking open the book to read. My mind buried itself into the words, letting the nightmare flee my mind.
"Mira?" called a soft voice while I was still very enraptured by the book. Startled out of my wits, I turned around quickly in the chair, causing the book to fall to the floor. I saw Frodo standing at the other end of the room, a concerned look on his face. Regaining my senses, I bent over and picked up the book, gathering myself together in some presentable manner.
"Whatever are you doing awake at this hour?" I asked him.
"I could ask the very same thing of you." He neared me a little, remaining to stand as I sat in my chair.
"You frightened me quite a bit there," I set the book down upon the side table and motioned to the chair on the opposite side of me. "Please take a seat."
Frodo cautiously moved to the chair and sat down, returning his gaze to fall upon myself. "Why are you not asleep?" he asked me, shifting in his seat.
"I could not sleep. How about you?"
"I could not sleep either." His voice was sullen, as if his mind was somewhere else. He straightened and moved his gaze to my face. "I hope that our conversation today was not the cause of your distress."
"I assure you it is not, but I have a feeling that it is the same conversation that plagues you."
"The memories stir in my mind, leaving me no rest. 'Tis not your fault though. I brought this upon myself and I wish to continue our conversations at some point in the future for I believe it will benefit me once everything has been told."
Silence grew between us and I felt that Frodo's lack of sleep was not only from the day's conversation.
"Is there something else that does not permit you to sleep?" I asked, trying to break the silence and find the root of the problem.
Frodo sighed shortly before responding. "My writing has reached a very difficult place, one that I would rather forget, but I must continue with it." His head hung low at his words, but he returned his gaze to catch mine. "What is the reason for your inability to sleep?"
"My dream was rather frightening and I felt I could not remain in my room while it lingered in my mind."
"What did you dream about?"
"My father throwing me out of the house and leaving me to die on the road."
"Do you believe your father carry through with such an act?"
"I do not know." I sighed, trying to separate my feelings for my father. "I believe that he loves me some where in his heart no matter how much he mistreats me, but in those times of fury, I can see no hint of love in his eyes."
"I do not believe any parent could truly hate their child."
I lowered my head, hoping that some part of his statement was true. Reaching over for my book, I stood up and picked up the candle. "I'd best be getting to bed before we wake Sam, Rosie, or Elanor."
Frodo stood and walked with me as I went to my room. I passed his room and he retreated to its safety. I retreated to my room and curled up in my bed, wishing that this time sleep would bring me the peace I hoped for.
The next morning, as I was bringing Frodo his lunch, he glanced at me, removing himself from his work. "Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"Much better after returning to my room." I set the plate on the table. "How about yourself?"
"I'm afraid I did not have such luck."
"Oh," I froze slightly, concerned for his mental state.
"I don't think I could go for an outing today, for my mind is still gathering everything together from yesterday."
"I understand. But please, only continue if you feel you can."
"I intend to." A faint smile hinted upon his lips and he turned back to his book.
Unconsciously, I smiled back at him, his expression warming my heart a little. I left the study and moved to the kitchen where Rosie was cleaning a few things up.
"I'd like to talk to you, Mira," she said plainly, sitting down at the table and gesturing for me to join her. I crossed the room and took my place across from her, folding my hands in my lap.
"What did you want to discuss?" I asked, curious about her actions.
"You've done so much for us here, and I appreciate it all quite a lot. I feel that the time you spent with Frodo yesterday was more helpful than you know and I wish for you to continue your actions. I discussed this with Frodo for a while, then Sam, and we've come to the agreement that you can have every Friday to yourself, or spend it with Frodo as he sees fit. I know you refused time off in the past, but seeing how you've helped Frodo recover more than Sam expected him to ever recover, we feel it's only right. Frodo requested your company once a week and I see no harm in that."
I was stunned slightly, mostly since Rosie was being so forward and thankful for something I was very glad to do on my own. Their kindness warmed my soul. "I thank you very much for your offer, Rosie."
"You're welcome." Rosie stood up and smiled, cleaning her hands with her apron. "Now, if you'd be so kind and clean up the kitchen while I check on Elanor."
"Of course." I said, standing up and moving to the far side of the kitchen. Rosie left the room as I began to clean some of the dishes.
My mind eased knowing that I was having some effect in easing Frodo's sorrows and that it was not just myself who could see him heal.
~*~
whee, what a fun chapter eh? Okay so no, not really. I had a hard time getting this out of my head despite what I said last time. Muses left me as soon as I put my hands to the keyboard. Anyway, thanks to all of you who reviewed and who replied for the first time.
Traveller: okay, I'll just continue, and I don't want to drag the whole thing out either. I don't think that's gonna happen, but who knows, I'm wrong a lot of the time.well, have fun in Hawaii
Saralitazie: I'm the wrong person to be offering Orli too. I much prefer the hobbits.but I'll have some more up as soon as possible.
Firefly: thanks for the encouragement. It's good to hear that I'm doing something right.
To all you who posted: thanks so much, you truly have no idea how much it helps to know that my work is appreciated by someone.
I should probably run off before some one hurts me for rambling too long.
Chapter 20
Rain poured onto the earth that freely drank up every drop. A brisk wind swept through the valley, chilling the water as it hit my skin, splattering against my skin and making me shiver as each new drop froze my body and hampered me in my quest. Finally, after agonizing hours or scrambling on my hands and feet to my home, I reached the shining crimson door of the hobbit hole, gleaming at me as the rain coated it. Slowly, I brought my hand to the doorknob and turned it, my hand using what little strength it had to push open the door. Crawling inside to the radiating warmth of the fire, I tried to near the main room where the hearth resided, hoping to thaw my numb limbs.
As I laid there on the ground, feeling my nerves tingling slightly again, I felt heavy steps shake through the floor, becoming more solid with each step closer and instilling my body with fear. I moved my hands beneath me to lift myself, but strength had not returned to them yet, so I was stranded on the floor. With the last of my adrenaline, I rolled over onto my other side, seeing my father standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice making no effort to hide his contempt.
I could not reply. He neared me and then knelt down next to me, a momentary kindness flashing in his eyes, but that kindness was all too soon. Father grabbed my arm and pulled me up to stand with him.
"I asked you a question. What are you doing here?" His face was inches from mine, his breath steaming with his rage brushing against my skin. I saw the fury in his eyes, an anger far worse than anything I had seen before lingered there.
Soon, I found myself being dragged down the hall and to the front door. The door flew open and my father threw me outside, into the mud and rain. My body began to take in the rain again, freezing me.
"I do not want to see you here again. As far as I'm concerned, you are not my daughter," he yelled. As he turned around to retreat into the house, I reached out for him, crying out with tears of frustration that he would retrieve me, possibly feel some compassion.
Father paused, then turned around and approached me quickly, taking me up in his arms quickly. "I told you to leave. I do not want you." He threw me to the side of the path where my head violently struck the ground, and I cried out in pain.
My eyes shot open to find myself in the pitch black of the night. My skin crawled with shivers as I sat up and found that the covers were strewn across the floor. I put my hand to my forehead, my breath slowing from its quickened pace as I realized that it was all a dream, a horrible one too. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I moved my legs off the edge of the bed and stood up, needing to clear my head.
I found the candle that resided near the head of my bed and lit it, taking it up in my hand. I moved to the small desk in the corner of my room and picked up the one book Frodo had lent me. Then, trying to proceed as quietly as possible, I entered into the main cavity of the house and made my way to the front room, hoping that no one would wake at the slight sounds of the floorboards creaking underneath my feet.
Carefully, as not to make a sound, I sat in the main chair, throwing my legs over one arm and leaning my back against the other, setting the candle behind me and cracking open the book to read. My mind buried itself into the words, letting the nightmare flee my mind.
"Mira?" called a soft voice while I was still very enraptured by the book. Startled out of my wits, I turned around quickly in the chair, causing the book to fall to the floor. I saw Frodo standing at the other end of the room, a concerned look on his face. Regaining my senses, I bent over and picked up the book, gathering myself together in some presentable manner.
"Whatever are you doing awake at this hour?" I asked him.
"I could ask the very same thing of you." He neared me a little, remaining to stand as I sat in my chair.
"You frightened me quite a bit there," I set the book down upon the side table and motioned to the chair on the opposite side of me. "Please take a seat."
Frodo cautiously moved to the chair and sat down, returning his gaze to fall upon myself. "Why are you not asleep?" he asked me, shifting in his seat.
"I could not sleep. How about you?"
"I could not sleep either." His voice was sullen, as if his mind was somewhere else. He straightened and moved his gaze to my face. "I hope that our conversation today was not the cause of your distress."
"I assure you it is not, but I have a feeling that it is the same conversation that plagues you."
"The memories stir in my mind, leaving me no rest. 'Tis not your fault though. I brought this upon myself and I wish to continue our conversations at some point in the future for I believe it will benefit me once everything has been told."
Silence grew between us and I felt that Frodo's lack of sleep was not only from the day's conversation.
"Is there something else that does not permit you to sleep?" I asked, trying to break the silence and find the root of the problem.
Frodo sighed shortly before responding. "My writing has reached a very difficult place, one that I would rather forget, but I must continue with it." His head hung low at his words, but he returned his gaze to catch mine. "What is the reason for your inability to sleep?"
"My dream was rather frightening and I felt I could not remain in my room while it lingered in my mind."
"What did you dream about?"
"My father throwing me out of the house and leaving me to die on the road."
"Do you believe your father carry through with such an act?"
"I do not know." I sighed, trying to separate my feelings for my father. "I believe that he loves me some where in his heart no matter how much he mistreats me, but in those times of fury, I can see no hint of love in his eyes."
"I do not believe any parent could truly hate their child."
I lowered my head, hoping that some part of his statement was true. Reaching over for my book, I stood up and picked up the candle. "I'd best be getting to bed before we wake Sam, Rosie, or Elanor."
Frodo stood and walked with me as I went to my room. I passed his room and he retreated to its safety. I retreated to my room and curled up in my bed, wishing that this time sleep would bring me the peace I hoped for.
The next morning, as I was bringing Frodo his lunch, he glanced at me, removing himself from his work. "Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"Much better after returning to my room." I set the plate on the table. "How about yourself?"
"I'm afraid I did not have such luck."
"Oh," I froze slightly, concerned for his mental state.
"I don't think I could go for an outing today, for my mind is still gathering everything together from yesterday."
"I understand. But please, only continue if you feel you can."
"I intend to." A faint smile hinted upon his lips and he turned back to his book.
Unconsciously, I smiled back at him, his expression warming my heart a little. I left the study and moved to the kitchen where Rosie was cleaning a few things up.
"I'd like to talk to you, Mira," she said plainly, sitting down at the table and gesturing for me to join her. I crossed the room and took my place across from her, folding my hands in my lap.
"What did you want to discuss?" I asked, curious about her actions.
"You've done so much for us here, and I appreciate it all quite a lot. I feel that the time you spent with Frodo yesterday was more helpful than you know and I wish for you to continue your actions. I discussed this with Frodo for a while, then Sam, and we've come to the agreement that you can have every Friday to yourself, or spend it with Frodo as he sees fit. I know you refused time off in the past, but seeing how you've helped Frodo recover more than Sam expected him to ever recover, we feel it's only right. Frodo requested your company once a week and I see no harm in that."
I was stunned slightly, mostly since Rosie was being so forward and thankful for something I was very glad to do on my own. Their kindness warmed my soul. "I thank you very much for your offer, Rosie."
"You're welcome." Rosie stood up and smiled, cleaning her hands with her apron. "Now, if you'd be so kind and clean up the kitchen while I check on Elanor."
"Of course." I said, standing up and moving to the far side of the kitchen. Rosie left the room as I began to clean some of the dishes.
My mind eased knowing that I was having some effect in easing Frodo's sorrows and that it was not just myself who could see him heal.
~*~
whee, what a fun chapter eh? Okay so no, not really. I had a hard time getting this out of my head despite what I said last time. Muses left me as soon as I put my hands to the keyboard. Anyway, thanks to all of you who reviewed and who replied for the first time.
Traveller: okay, I'll just continue, and I don't want to drag the whole thing out either. I don't think that's gonna happen, but who knows, I'm wrong a lot of the time.well, have fun in Hawaii
Saralitazie: I'm the wrong person to be offering Orli too. I much prefer the hobbits.but I'll have some more up as soon as possible.
Firefly: thanks for the encouragement. It's good to hear that I'm doing something right.
To all you who posted: thanks so much, you truly have no idea how much it helps to know that my work is appreciated by someone.
I should probably run off before some one hurts me for rambling too long.
